Jennifer Burnett walked happily out of a West Loop union hall Saturday, carrying a load of early Christmas gifts for her 1-year-old son Eric that she could not afford to buy herself.

Along with other families that are either homeless or struggling financially, the mother and son from East Garfield Park attended the Dreams for Kids organization’s 23rd annual Holiday for Hope gift giveaway that this year attracted more than 1,000 people.

“Without it, he wouldn’t have nothing for Christmas. Nothing,” said Burnett, 24.

The program that began on Christmas Eve in 1989 inside a small homeless shelter on Chicago’s South Side has grown more popular as the economy remains difficult and more people in the city either lose jobs or simply struggle to pay their bills.

Norine Rhodes attended Saturday’s event for the fifth time, chaperoning 50 families who live in the Cabrini-Green row houses.

“It’s a blessing because there are a lot of families that are going through some rough times,” said Rhodes, 37. “The children so look forward to it, they’re so excited. It gives parents and children a chance to enjoy each other and brings joy and smiles to so many families.”

After patiently waiting in line for presents, children excitedly dug through their bags to find stuffed animals, action figures, electronic games, board games, sports equipment and dolls.

In addition to receiving gifts, kids sat in Santa’s lap to get their photos taken and had their faces painted. Several boys chose to be painted as skeletons or Spider-Man. The girls chose large butterflies to be painted around their eyes and on their cheeks.

As a single mom and full-time student, Charish Johnson said she values any help she can get providing for her two boys, ages 9 and 5, during the holidays.

“It helps so I can do other things to make their Christmas a nice Christmas, just like my mom and dad did for me,” said Johnson, 28, of North Lawndale.

Burnett said some of the gifts will also come in handy for another important day: Eric’s second birthday on Dec. 29.

“That will give me enough to take out some gifts for Christmas and some for his birthday,” she said.

As the event wound down and families headed home, elated children continued to sneak peeks inside their bags, eager for some quality time with their new toys.

For Johnson’s 5-year-old son Randy, his gifts were right up his alley: a basketball and a purple remote-controlled car.